pa-DHS

Everything you need to know about LIHEAP

BY: - November 17, 2023

During the 2022-2023 LIHEAP season, 312,169 households statewide received more than $125 million in LIHEAP cash benefits, and these households received an average season benefit of $402, according to DHS data. 

Shapiro terminates state funding for Real Alternatives anti-abortion centers in Pa.

BY: - August 4, 2023

Real Alternatives, a Pennsylvania-based organization that supports and partners with anti-abortion centers to dissuade pregnant people from seeking abortion care, has received state funding for 30 years. 

Shapiro admin encourages Pennsylvanians affected by SNAP changes to seek help if they need it

BY: - March 21, 2023

The expiration of the expanded federal benefit affects approximately 1.9 million people across the commonwealth, according to the Department of Human Services, which administers SNAP allocations in Pennsylvania. 

Changes to SNAP income thresholds will expand eligibility for benefits, Wolf admin says

BY: - September 22, 2022

Beginning on Oct. 1, Pennsylvania will increase the income threshold for SNAP applicants to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG), the Department of Human Services said, adding that “more than 420,000 additional Pennsylvanians in more than 174,000 households will be newly eligible for SNAP” as a result of the change. 

‘Heartbroken and horrified’: state officials, advocates discuss abortion access in Pa.

BY: - September 21, 2022

As more than a dozen states have moved to ban or restrict access to abortion care following the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 24 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Goulet said that it's important that Americans talk about what it is like to experience pregnancy in the U.S.

State officials reaffirm access to reproductive health services post-Roe | Five for the Weekend

BY: - August 13, 2022

“With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we know that many people are confused and worried about getting the reproductive health care they need and deserve to keep themselves and their families healthy,” Department of Human Services acting Secretary Meg Snead said.

Wolf admin. celebrates launch of 988 helpline, says there’s more work to be done

BY: - July 20, 2022

In Pennsylvania, 988 will connect callers and texters to one of the commonwealth’s 13 crisis call centers for support. In communities where mobile crisis mental health teams are available, the call centers can dispatch those teams to “provide on-site support and interventions,” according to DHS. 

‘We can’t move forward if we leave others behind’: State officials urge Pennsylvanians to apply for rental assistance

BY: - May 12, 2021

In a briefing with reporters Tuesday, acting state Human Services Secretary Meg Snead urged Pennsylvanians who are behind on rental payments or having trouble making payments to apply for assistance through the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). 

Wolf taps top aide Meg Snead to lead Human Services Department following Sec.Teresa Miller’s resignation

BY: - March 23, 2021

In a statement, Wolf said he’d nominated administration Policy & Planning Secretary Meg Snead to fill the looming vacancy at one the state’s largest agencies. 

SNAP eligibility expanded to include college students, state officials confirm

BY: - February 8, 2021

During a briefing with reporters, state Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller said new federal funding approved in December made this change in SNAP benefits, popularly known as food stamps, possible. 

On anniversary of landmark case, DHS faces allegations it violated law protecting those with disabilities

BY: - August 4, 2020

The case alleges that the state agency violated the Olmstead decision after it placed Doxzon in a nursing facility, despite her desire to remain in the community.

A look at the 2020-2021 stopgap budget: Health & Human Services | The Numbers Racket

BY: - July 13, 2020

This week, in part three of our look at the five-month budget plan, we’ll go deep on the changes being made to funding for the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services.